Elementary Algebra is a book for the student. The authors' goal is to help build students' confidence, their understanding and appreciation of math, and their basic skills by presenting an extremely user-friendly text that models a framework in which students can succeed. Unfortunately, students who place into developmental math courses often struggle with math anxiety due to bad experiences in past math courses. Developmental students often have never developed nor applied a study system in mathematics. To address these needs, the authors have framed three goals for Elementary Algebra: 1) reduce math anxiety, 2) teach for understanding, and 3) foster critical thinking and enthusiasm.The authors' writing style is extremely student-friendly. They talk to students in their own language and walk them through the concepts, explaining not only how to do the math, but also why it works and where it comes from, rather than using the "monkey-see, monkey-do" approach that some books take.
Tom Carson- Tom Carson's first teaching experience was teaching guitar while an undergraduate student studying electrical engineering. That experience helped him to realize that his true gift and passion was, and is, in teaching. He went on to earn his M.A.T. in mathematics at the University of South Carolina. For the last ten years, he has been teaching at Midlands Technical College in the Developmental Mathematics Program, where he has been honored with a NISOD Excellence in Teaching award and a Who's Who among American Teachers award. Tom has served on the faculty council and has been a board member of the South Carolina Association of Developmental Educators (SCADE). Ever the teacher, Tom teaches outside the classroom by presenting at conferences such as NADE, AMATYC, and ICTCM on topics such as Combating Innumeracy, Writing in Mathematics, and Implementing a Study System.
Ellyn GillespieAfter several career changes, Ellyn Gillespie found her calling. While working in a campus bookstore, she was hired to teach a developmental math class and immediately knew that teaching was what she had been looking for. After completing her M. A. T. in mathematics at The Citadel, she went on to teach at several colleges throughout SC. For the past 6 years, she has been at Midlands Technical College, teaching in both the Developmental Studies and Mathematics departments. Honored three times as a Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Ellyn continues to show her enthusiasm in and out of the classroom. She serves on the college's Internet and Technology Committee and works to introduce technology in the classroom. Also a member of the state's Developmental Studies Mathematics Peer Group, she works to improve mathematics instruction throughout the state. Ellyn continues to share her knowledge with others and has presented at NADE and NCTM conferences.
